Railroad-switch



(No Model.)

No. 27A@n S. NIGHO LS.

RAILROAD SWITCH.

ATTORNEYS. a

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SIMEON NICHOLS, OF LISBON, MAINE, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FOURTH TO CHARLES YV. PABKER,'OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.m

RAILROAD-SWITCH.

SPECIFICATIGN forming part of Letters Patent No, 274,814, dated March 2.7, 1853.

(No model.)

v which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figurelisaplanviewofmyimproved switch, showing it closed for the main line and open for the siding. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevation ot' the same ou the line or, Fig. 1. the same on the line y y, Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional elevation of the same ou the l-ine z z, Fig. l. j

The main-line rails A and the sidiugrails B are fixed and the switch-rails C are movable.

The ends ot the main-line rails A rest in recesses a in chairs D, fastened on. a sleeper, E, and the ends ot' the siding-rails B rest in recesses b in the chairs D, which 'recesses b are parallel with and adjoining the recesses a.

The ends of the'rails'A and B extend about to the middle of the recesses. movable switch-rails C rest either in the recesses a or b. The ends ot' the switch-rails C rest on and are attached to a cross-bar, F. The wider end, G', of a wedge-shaped frame, Cr, has a bar, O, fastened across it, the ends o o of which move in slots o o of the switch-rails C. The wider end of the frame Gr is at the right of the sleeper E, and the pointed end of the frame is at the left oi' the sleeper E and between the adjoining main and siding rails A and B, which pointed end of the'frame G is pivoted to a sleeper, or to a block, H', by means of a heavy bolt or pintle, H, ttin g loosely in a verticalaperturein the'block or sleeve H'..

The pivoted pointed end of the frame G is from ten to eleven feet from the sleeper E. About midway between the pointed end of the frame G and the sleeper` E this frame G rests upon a. ,transverse fulcrum-bar, J, a. short distance below the rails,on which bar the yframe G can be tilted. A wedge-shaped block, K, or anged plate is secured to the outer side of each shank Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional elevation ot'` The ends of the` of the frame Cr, between the pivot H and the -bar J, which blocks K are of such shape that their outer surfaces can tit closely against the inner or adjoining surfaces of the adjoining main and siding rails A B,between whichthe frame G is pivoted. A handle\er,L,is linked to the outer end of the bar F. A foot-lever, M, is pivoted in a standard, N, secured in the ground at the outer side oi' the outer rail C, the inner short arln of the lever M taking beneath cross bar F to lift the switclnrails C and frame G.

H2 H2 represent cross-bars lixed in recesses ot' the frame G, and upon each of these bars bears the free end of a spring,J/,which is held fast to a sleeper. The lree ends ofthe spring bear with sufficient force upon the cross-bars to prevent the frame from jumping, while they allow it to he raised or moved laterally under the spring. i

The operation is as follows:` li` the switch is closed for the main line and open for the siding, as shown-that is, if a train cannot run from the siding-rails B upon the switch-rails C and it' a train then approaches oir the siding in the direction of' the arrow a', the flange ot' thewheel on the inner siding-rail B runs on the block K, resting against the inner side of this rail, and thereby tilts the frame G-that is to say, the pivoted end of the frame Gis i depressed and the wide end is raised, whereby the ends of the switch-rails C will be raised out ot the recesses a in the chairs. I). When' the wheel has run over this block K it drops in between the inner edge of the sidingrail- B and the adjoining shank ofthe frame (nrf'andT pushes this frame sidewise in the direction ot' the arrow b until the other block K strikes against the inner edge of the outer main raill i switch-rails C will drop into the recesses l of the chairs D. The switch will now be closed for the siding and open for the main line-that is, only those trains coming from the siding can run on the switch-rails. As the block K, that has rested against the inner siding-rail IOO SIU

B has been moved from the rail by the rst wheel, the following wheels cannot come in contact with this block and cannot interfere with the switch, which remains set. It', now, a train comes from themain line in the direction ot' the arrow et', the first wheel on the outer main rail tilts the frame G, thereby raising the ends of the switch-rails C, and pushes the frame G and the rails O in the reverse direction of the arrow b and the switch-rails drop into the recesses a. The 4switch is thus operated automatically by all trains running on the main rails or siding in the direction of the arrow a'. If the switch is to be set for trains running in the reverse direction of the arrow a', the levers L and M must be used. The frame G and the ends ot' the switch-rails C are raised by means ofthe levers M, and the wide end ot' the frame G and the rails C are moved in the direction of the arrow b', or in the reverse direction of the arrow b, by means ot' the lever L.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to Ysecure by Letters Patent, is y 1. The combination, on a railroad, with the main, siding, and switch rails, of a frame pivoted to swing horizontally at one end between the inner siding and inner main rails, provided with a connection at or near its other end with the switch-rail, arranged to rock or tilt vertically upon a transverse line between its ends, and having between said swinging points side extensions adapted to come under the wheel-flanges of the trucks, whereby the switch may be operated automatically, as de'- scribed.

2. In .railroad-switches, the combination, with a frame, G, pivoted to tilt on rod J, of blocks or side extensions, K K, attached to the outside of the bars of said frame, whereby the wheel-flange of the trucks will tilt said frame, as described.

3. In 'a switch, the combination, with the main rails A, the siding-rails B,and the switchrails C, of the vertically and laterally swinging frame G, the blocks K, attached to the same, and the bar J, forming the fulcrum for `vthe vertical movements of the frame G, substantially as herein shown and described, and for the purpose set forth.

4. The tilting frame G, combined with the switch-rails C by means ofa cross-bar, 0, attached rigidly to the bottom of frame, and passing, with its ends, through longitudinal slots in the rails, whereby the Arails may be lifted, as described.

5. In a switch, the combination, with the main rails A,the siding-rails B, and the switchrails O, of the vertically and laterally swinging frame G, the blocks K, the bar J', and the chairs D, provided with lrecesses. a and b, substantially as herein shown and described, and for the purpose set forth. y

6. In a switch, the combination, withrthe main rails A, the siding-rails B, and the switchrails C, ot' the vertically and laterally swinging frame G, the blocks K, the rod J, the pintle or pivot H,'and the vertically-apertured block or sleeper El', substantially as herein shown and described,and for the purpose set forth.

7. In a switch, the combination, with the main rails A, the siding-rails B, and the switchrails C, of the vertically and laterally swinging frame G, the rod J, the bars F and 0, and the levers L and M, substantially as herein shown and described, and for the purpose set forth.

8. In a switch, the combination, with the main rails A, the siding-rails B, and the switchrails G, ot' the vertically and laterally swinging frame G, the blocks K, the rod J, and the sleeper E, provided with recesses a b, substantially as herein shown and described, and for the purpose set forth.

9. The cross-bars H2 H2,springJ',and sleeperbolt K, in combination with the frame G, whereby the latter is prevented from jumping', and yet allowed to move laterally as well as vertically, as described.

l0. The combination, with the switch-rails C C, ot' the cross-bar F, carrying switch-rails, and the levers L M, connected with said crossbar, whereby a man may lift the rails out of the recesses of the chairs by a pressure of his foot and laterally move them' with one orboth hands in quick succession, as described.

SIMEON NICHOLS. [L SL] Witnesses:

SAMUEL S. NICHOLS, FRANKLIN S. NIcHoLs. 

